Well-screen.



m rennen punched or drilled to nrovide communication with the interior ofthe tube, these holes being considerably smaller in diameter than the counter-sunk perorations previouely described.

Dieposing gathering compartments; longitudinally er the tube, results in the least possible weakening thereof; and by arranging them instaggered relation so to overlap at the ende, a maximum gathering area 1s provided inasmuch as each annu lar circulatin chamber or channel of the helix communicates with one or more of the athering compartments, and the increase 1n depth and width et' the compartments rpeinnlts of the gathering et a manimum quantity of liquid and insures a flow 'from each of the circulating channels with which it communicates. Stam in other words, each gathering compartment receives or draws its supply from e number of slits and channels substantially uniformi inetead of from one or two located immer iately adje cent the inlet openings l1, this beingr insured by making the size of the opening; il of a compartment somewhat less than the total area of the circulating channels ehmniunicatu ing with .the compartment. The location of the openings ll in the lower portion ci the gathering compartments makes `the gathering compartments selii cleaning, thereby preventing clogging.

A further advantage oi this construction is that the wearing eil'ect of the intiowinc; liquid is distributed over a wider area. 'lhic result is obtained by the torni ofthe gathering compartments and nico by reason of the fact that I so proportion the size of the openings l1 to the total area of the circulating; channels which communicate with .a gathering compartment that the liow is somewhat retarded, the effect oi. which is to break up the cyclonic action of the pressure on the exterior of the screen and to cut down the vehicity of the infiowing liquid and extend the area from which the supply for euch conipartment is drawn, thus reducing and distributing the cutting etlect on the screening,y wire. At the same time, however, because Ot the relatively small size of the outlet openings 1l, they may be provided in greater number so as to secure a maximum discharge area into the tube, and this without weakening the tube. The total volun'ie of iniowiu g liquid is therefore large, but is delivered through alarge number ol inflow points. The disposition of the gathering 'compartments is also such that a maximum supporting, area is provided for the coils of the helix, thus insu-ring evennese in spaeing, this advantage beine; obtained because lf am enabled to utilize by my improved arrangement, gathering compartments of rel atively small Width.

It will also be noted that in. the event of breehage of the screening wire o posite a gathering compartment, lyceenne o the relatively email size of the outlet openings 11, the foreign matter which is carried into the r compartments will rapidly clog and stop up the outlet opening, thus minimizing the damaging ell'ect of a breakage on the eiliciency of the screen.

i claim:

1. A well screen "comprising in combination a supporting frame and ay helix of screening wire thereon providingr circulat ing channels, said trame having in its face a plurality of gathering compartments, each eomn'iunicating: with a number of circulutin channels and having a discharge out let o.. less capacity than the capacity of the channels communicutinp,r with the compartment.

2. A Well ncreen comprising in combination a supporting frame and e helix of screening' wire thereon providing circulatirng,I chunnele, said frame having in its face a plurality of gathering compartments, each of varying width and depth, und each communicating' with a number of circulating channels and having a discharge outlet, the compartments being widest and deepest adjacent said outlets.

3. A well screen comprising' in combination a supporting frame and a helix of screeningr wire thereon providingr circulatf inn7 channels, said traine having in its face a plurality ot' gratin-.ring compartments, euch communicatngr with a number of circulating 100 channels and having a discharge outlet appronimnteiy :it one end, the compartments" increasing in width and depth from the opposite end.

4. A well screen comprising in combina- 105 tion a. supporting trame and a helix of screening wire thereon providing circulatingr channels, said frame having in its face a plu ality ot' gathering compartments, euch communicating with a number of circulat- 110 ing channels and cach increasing in depth and width from one end toward the other.

5. A well screen comprising in combination u supporting frame und a helix of screening wire thereon. providing' circulating 115 channels, said fran'lelnwing in its face u plurality' ol' gathering.;r compartments, each comniunicatinpg with a number of circulating l channels and ouch increasing in area from one end toward the other.

(l. A well screen comprising in combination a suppm'tingir i'i'urnc and a helix of screening' wire thereon providing circulating channels, said frame having in its face a plurality otgathcring compartments ar- 126 ranged longindinally of thefran'ie yin staglgered relntioneuch communicutingr with a number of cirei'filating' channels and having an outlet, the conipurtmcnt increasing in width und depth toward said outlet. 13G

$1 A Well 50mm complraimg im combina mls communicating with the cmnpwemwmh tion uppo'rtimg 'frame and m hdm and. 0f' less capacity than. tha mmpswmwalmf; w screening wir@ themon'pmvidng circulating En wstmmly wherwf ET. hav@ hammam, channels', amici fram@ 'having im im. :Kam a, sgmd my mme.

Mss @ummm Mmmm capacity of @im @ham- Lmm i9, mmm. 

